Folding handle bar for bicycles



Jan. 14, 1947..

r w SCHWINN FOLDING HANDLE BAR FOR BIGYGLES Original Filed Feb. 16, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l I z/wamwg/c/gwwuaw F. W. SCHWINN 2,414,275

FOLDING HANDLE BAR FOR BICYCLES Jan; 14, 1947.

2 sheets-sneak 2 Original Filed Feb. 16, 1944 Patented Jan. 14, 1947 FOLDING HANDLE BAR FOR BICYCLES Frank W. Schwinn, Chicago, Ill.

Substituted for abandoned application SerialNo.

522,577, February 16, 1944.

This application November 27, 1946, Serial No. 712,531. In Great Britain July 3, 1944 12 Claims.

The present invention relates to folding handle bars for bicycles. While such folding handle bars may be employed upon any bicycle to advantage for making the assembly more compact at the forward end of the bicycle, the present handle bars are preferably mounted on a complete folding bicycle assembly of the type shown in my prior application, Ser. No. 526,179, filed March 13, 1944.

One of the objects of the present invention is the provision of an improved folding handle bar construction which consumes a minimum amount of time in the moving of the handle bars from the folded to the operative position, or vice versa.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved folding handle bar construction which is adapted to be free from rattling either in the folded r operative position, and which may be used for a long period of time without rattling being caused by wear of its parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved handlebar construction in which the handle bars are automatically locked in the operative position when the operator pulls the handle bars forcibly from their folded position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved handle bar construction which is simple, sturdy, and adapted to be manufactured at a low cost and adapted to be used for a long period of time without rattling or loosening or necessity for repair or replacement of any of its parts.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved handle bar construction which is particularly adapted to be moved from the folded position to the operative position very speedily in total darkness, and in which there is no possibility of misalignment of any of the elements of the construction when so operated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the two sheets of drawings,

Fig. l is a fragmentary elevational View of a folding handle bar construction embodying the invention, with thehandle bars in operative or unfolded position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational View, showing the handle bars in the same position as Fig. 1, with an alternative position of the handle bars, shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary front elevational view, with the handle bars in the folded position;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view in partial section, showing the details of construction and mode of support of the handle bars;

Fig. 5 is a top plan view, showing the handle bars in the open or operative position;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view, taken on the plane of the line li -5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrows, showing the arrangements for holding the handle bars in the folded position and for permitting them to be pulled into the operative position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, It] indicates the bicycle frame, which is provided with the usual steering post ll, having a handle bar extension I 2. The handle bar extension I2 is provided with a through bore [3 for receiving the steering post I I, to which it may be welded as indicated at M; and the extension [2 preferably extends upward and forward from the steering post H at an acute angle to the axis of the steering post.

In another adjustment of the steering post the extension l2 extends substantially horizontally and rearwardly, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

The handle bar extension member 12 may be substantially wedge-shaped at that portion 15 which has the bore [3 for receiving the steering post ll. It is provided with an enlarged forwardly extending body portion I6 of sufficient size to provide space for a bore [1 that receives the pivoted bolt [8 and for a plunger guid bore l9.

The bore ll is suitably threaded at to receive the threaded end 2| of the pivot bolt l8, which has a cylindrical body portion 22 for engaging the handle bars. Between the cylindrical body portion 22 and the threaded portion 2| on the bolt it there is an annular shoulder 23 which ii, 28 so that there is space beneath the head 29 for the initially compressed spring washer 30, which is compressed to such a point that it takes up the clearance and resiliently engages the head 29 and handle bar bearing 25 to prevent rattling and to hold the handle bars in any position against inadvertent movement.

The handle bars 21, 28 are similar in construction except that they are made for right hand and left hand positions, and each includes a tubular body portion 3i, which may be curved in any convenient manner, or the body portions may be straight. Each body portion 31 supports at its inner end a bearing portion 25, 26, and the bearing portions .25, 25 are substantially cylindrical extensions which are provided with the through bores 32, 33 and the plane upper and lower surfaces t l, 35.

The bearing portion 25 is disposed on theforward, that is, the left side, of the body 35 of the handle bar 27, while the bearing portion 25 is disposed on the rear, that is, theright side, of Fig. 4, of the handle bar member 28 so, that when the bearing portions 25, 25. are. assembled on the bolt E8 the handle bar bodies 3! are in alignment with each other.

The handle bars may be made up of tubular members 3! (Fig. 1), having a pressed fit upon a pair .of. cast metal fittings 35.3.6, each of which supports one. of the bearings 25, 26. The fittings have reduced tubular cylindrical portions 3?, with an annular shoulder .33, against which the tubular bodies :3i'n1ay be driven when the reduced portion 31 is fitted in the end of the tubular body Each; fitting 35, 35 is: provided on its plane rear facej39 with arearwardly projecting tapered lug 4 or stop it, ill, which has its apex or ridge 42 extending substantially horizontally when the handle bars are in the operative position of Fig. 1. Each of the lugs or stopsz'll also preferably has a pair of sloping sides d3, 4 and a plane apex e2, the-latter being-present due to the thickness of the lug ll. The handle bar extension I? is also provided on. its upper side with a pair of laterally projecting arms or lugs .5, so, which may be of .sufiicientlength toproject laterally into engagement with the major portionof each lug ll), ll

.on the handle bars.

The stop. lugs1l5,.45, have lower plane stop surfaces (AL/Q5, which are so inclined that they engage flatlywith the slopingsurfaces is on the lugs, 41 whe the handle bars are in the position of Fig. 1. Stop surfaces il, it definitely determine the uppermost position of the handle bars, since-the upper sloping surfaces it on each stop lugit, ll of each handle bar comes into engagement-with one of the surfaces ll, it when the handle bars are opened.

The stop portions il, 65 on the handlebar extension 52 extend forwardly in Fig.2 so. as to be in position to engage the rigs or lugs ill, M on the handle bars, but the spaces below the stop a helical compression spring 50.

. Theplunger 49 may consistofa tubular metal member which receives and seats one end of the spring 52 the other end engaging the bottom of the bore lil. By making the plunger #9 hollow the spring Ell may be made longer, and its opposite-end engages the bottom 52 of the bore 53 in. the plunger.

Ihe outer end of the-plunger as is preferably partially spherical, as-indicated at 54, for engag ing the rear plane face 55 of a latching lever 55, which the plunger urges into latching position.

The body portion B6 of the saddle bar extension l2 also has a downwardly and forwardly extending bearing portion 51 (Fig. 4) which is provided with the horizontal bore 58 for receiving the riveted pin 59 upon which the latching lever 55* is pivoted.

The pin 59 comprises a cylindrical metal member headed at one end and riveted at the other .or spun over at both ends. The pin 59 is located in the cylindrical bores 60 in the two legs 5!, 62 of the latching lever 56. One of the legs, such as leg 62 of this latching lever is made longer so as to provide an extension 63, serving for manual engagement.

The extension 63 preferably has its rear lower corner removed and provided with a serrated surface 64 for engagement with the fingers.

At its upper end the lever 56 is also preferably provided with a pair of upwardly extending legs 55,; 66 separated by a curved recess 6? of sufficient size to embrace the round tubular portion lb of the steering post extension l2.

The upper legs 65, 'fiare each provided with partially cylindrical stop surfaces 68 formed on a radius which may be equal to the distance from this surface to the axis of the pin 59, but the cen ter of rotation in generating the surfaces 68 is preferably displaced slightly toward the right of i the axis of pin 59.

The lower beveled surfaces 43 on the lugs til, 2! carried by the handle bar fixtures 38, 35-may be arranged substantially tangent to a cylinder which has the axis of pin 59 as its center axis; and thustthe displacement. of the center of generationof the surfaces 68 is adapted to give an increasing radius toward the right so that it and are confined between the stop surfaces 5? V and .68 and 48 and 68, respectively.

In order that the handle bars may also be latched in their folded position, the lever 56 is provided with a centrally located recess fill looated between the upperlegs. 35, 66 and provided The with the outwardly beveled walls m, H. depth of this recess 69 is sufiieient to receive the handle bar lugs 40, 4|, and the slope of the beveled walls 'lll, H in cooperation with the beveled surfaces 44 is so arranged that the handle bars are held in their lowermost position and urged toward each other in the position shown inFig. 3 by the pressure of the plunger 49, but upon the application of a separating force to the two han- 'dle bars in the position of Fig. 3 the beveled surfaces M on the lugs ill, ll cams against the beveled center .70, H and the walls of the recess and urges the lever 55 clockwise in Fig. 2 against thepressure of the spring 50 until the lugs ride outof the recess 69 and over the face of the lever 56.

The handle bars may thenbe moved upward totheposition of Fig. 1 until the lugs 40, ll engage the stop surfaces 41, 48, which are also pre-. ferably suitably beveled to fit the surfaces .44.

Then the lever 56 is snapped outward underneath the lugs 40, 4| into wedging engagement with the surfaces 43 to hold the handle bars in their uppermost position.

The present folding handle bar construction is adapted to be operated more quickly than the devices of the prior art which employ threaded members for securing the handle bars in the open or the folded position, since the present latching devices are automatic in their operation and the handle bars may be opened by merely pulling upon the bars themselves.

The present construction is adapted to be used for a long period of time without possibility of rattling, as the latching arrangements contemplate the taking up of a suitable amount of wear, and the wedging engagement of the latching member with the wedging bars secures them firmly in either position without possibility of rattling.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodi merit of my invention, many modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In folding handle bars for bicycles, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handlebars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle 'bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position,

2. In folding handle bars for bicycles, the con bination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging'stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, latching means having a wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, and resilient means carried by said handle bar extension for engaging said latching means into latching engagement.

3. In folding handle bars for bicycles. the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, latching means having a wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each of said lugs forholding the handle bars in the operative position, and resilient means carried by said handle bar extension for engaging said latching means into latching engagement, said resilient deans comprising a spring pressed plunger formed with a tubular socket and provided with a springlocated in said tubular socket.

4. In folding handle bars for bicycles, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, said latching means comprising a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle barsfeach handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having apair of upper sto members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a, Wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each' of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, said latching means comprising a pivoted lever having its latching surface curved on a radius eccentric with respect to the axis of pivot of said lever, and resilient means carried by said handle bar exten sion for engaging said latching means into latching engagement.

6. In folding handle bars for bicycles, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of. upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a wedging latching surface engagin the opposite side of each of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, said latching means comprising a pivoted lever having its latching surface curved on a radius eccentric with respect to the axis of pivot of said lever, and resilient means carried by said handle bar extension for engaging said latching means into latching engagement, said resilient means comprising a spring pressed plunger formed with a tubular socket and provided with a spring located in said tubular socket.

'7 -7. In folding handle bars for bicycles, the combination of steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, .said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided With an axially-projecting lug for engaging stop members when the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each of said lugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, said latching means also including'a latching recess for receiving said lugs and holding the handle bars in folded position. I y

8. In folding handlebars for bicycles, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, a cylindrical member carried by said extension for movably supporting a pair of handle bars, a pair of handle bars, each'handle bar having a fixture provided with a bearing mounted on said cylindrical member, said handle bar extension having a pair of upper stop members, and said handle bar fixtures each being provided with an axially projecting lug for engaging 'stopmemhers when'the handle bars are in the operative position, and latching means having a Wedging latching surface engaging the opposite side of each ofsaidlugs for holding the handle bars in the operative position, said latchingmeans also including a latching recessfor receiving said lugs and holding thehandle bars in folded position, said latching recess being provided with beveled stop surfaces'whereby the handle bars may be unlatched by application of an unfolding force to the handle bars. i

9. In a folding handle bar mechanism, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post,

saidfixture being provided with-a threaded bore,

vided with a bearing portion 'mounted on said cylindrical portion of said threaded member, a head carried by said threadedmemb'er, and resilient means between said head and said bearing portions for holding the handle bars for rotation without rattling, said handle bar fixtures each having an axially extending stop lug, and latching means carried bysaid handle bar ex- I tension for holdingxthe said axially extending in fixed position, said latching means comprisin a pivoted latching lever mounted on said handle bar extension, and resilient means for urgingsaid'pivoted latching lever into latching position.

19. In a folding handle bar mechanism, the

combination of .a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post, said fixture being provided with a threaded bore, a threaded member having .a cylindrical bearin surface and having an annular stop shoulder, threaded home in said bore, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a pivot fixture provided with a bearing portion mounted 28 on said cylindricalportion-of said threaded'member, a head carried by said threaded member, and resilient means between saidhead and said bearing portions for holding the'handle bars for rotation without rattling, said handle bar fixtures each having an axially extending stop lug, and latching means carried by said handle bar extension for holding the said axially extending lugs in fixed position, said latching means comprising a pivoted latchin lever mounted on said handle bar extension, and resilient means for urging said pivoted latching lever into latching position, said latching lever being provided with a centrally located recess having lateral stop surfaces for receiving said lugs and holding said handle bars in the folded position.

11. In a folding handle bar mechanism, the combination of a steering post with a handle bar extension fixture carried by said steering post,

said fixture being provided with a threadedbore, a threaded member having a cylindrical bearing surface and having an annular stop shoulder, threaded home in said bore, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a pivot fixture provided with a bearing portion mounted on said cylindrical portion of said threaded member, .a head carried by said threaded member, and resilient means between said head and said bearing portions for holding the handle bars for rotation without rattling, said handle bar fixtures each having an axially extending stop lug, and latching means carried by said handle bar extension for holding the said axially extending lugs in fixed position, said latching means comprising a pivoted latching lever mounted on said handle-bar extension, and resilient means for urging said pivoted latching lever into latching position, said latching lever being provided with a centrally located recess having lateral stop surfaces for receiving said lugs and holding said handlebars in the folded position, said lugs and lateral stop surfaces being formed with a bevel whereby an opening force on the handle bars cams the latchin lever from the latching position.

12. In a folding handle bar mechanism, the combination of a steering post with ahandlebar extension fixture carried by said steering post,

said fixture being provided with a threaded bore,

a threaded member having a cylindrical bearing surface and having an annular stop shoulder, threaded home in said bore, a pair of handle bars, each handle bar having a pivot fixture provided with a bearing portion mounted on said cylindrical portion of said threaded member, a head carried by said threaded member, and resilient means between said head and said bearing portions for holding the handle bars for rotation Without rattling, said handle bar fixtures each havingian axially extending stop lug, and latch FRANK W. sonw-INN. 

